Hundreds stranded as Torkham border remains closed for fourth day

LANDIKOTAL: The Torkham border remained closed for the fourth consecutive day on Friday after four rounds of talks between Pakistani and Afghan authorities over installation of barbed wire and fencing in Pakistani territory.

Hundreds of stranded passengers including women and children stayed in mosques, hotels and other buildings at Torkham, Landikotal and nearby areas.

They were anxiously waiting for opening of the border to start their journey towards destinations. Dozens of trucks and trailers loaded with fresh fruit and vegetables were stranded on the Pakistani side of the border. The transporters were seen placing ice-blocks in the vegetables and fruits to keep it from becoming rotten.

The Pak-Afghan border at Torkham was closed on Tuesday after talks started between the border securities forces of the two countries over the issue of fencing, sources said. The Pakistani officials had undertaken the job to check illegal movement on the border and frustrate infiltration of unwanted elements.